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Olympic flame lands in Brazil as Rousseff impeachment draws closer

The Olympic flame has arrived in Brazil's capital amid ongoing impeachment moves against President Dilma Rousseff. Officials insist the political chaos will not harm the Olympics.

The Olympic flame arrived Tuesday in the Brazilian capital Brasilia, carried by Carlos Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee (photo).

It was sent from the ancient Greek site of Olympia via Switzerland on a TAM jetliner escorted by two Brazilian Air Force fighters. The flame was transferred to Brazil's Olympic torch featuring waves of tropical colors.

The flame has started out on a 90-day relay through 300 cities in Brazil with 12,000 torch bearers carrying it to the opening ceremony of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on August 5. It will be the first time the Olympic Games have been held in South America.

If looks could kill. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (L) and Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer (R)

Igniting the fire

President Dilma Rousseff, who's facing the threat of impeachment, ignited the torch in the capital.

"Brazil is ready to host the most successful Olympics in history," Rousseff said in a speech just before the begining of a nationwide torch relay.

The president also took the moment to address the political crisis confronting her country. "We know political problems exist in our country today," she said. "We know there is political instability. Brazil will be capable in a difficult period, a very difficult, critical period in the history of our democracy of dealing with the problems."

Overly optimistic?

A motion to impeach her was filed by the lower house of Congress two weeks ago and she is likely to be suspended on May 11 or 12 when the senate votes on opening an impeachment trial. Given the political makeup of the senate, a vote to suspend her looks almost certain.

Rousseff - somewhat hopefully - has called for a truce, as was the tradition in ancient times of war when the Olympic flame arrived. "I am certain that a country whose people know how to fight for their rights and to protect their democracy is a country where the Olympics will have great success in the coming months," she said.

She also said that "Brazil will provide the very best reception for athletes and foreign visitors because we have created the conditions for this."

Impeach or be damned

If impeached, Vice President Michel Temer would replace Rousseff during a trial that would likely last up to 180 days. Roussef, meanwhile, has branded Temer a "traitor" and claims to be the victim of a coup.

A senate vote on Rousseff's fate could take months more, but unless she is cleared Temer would stay in power until the next scheduled elections in 2018. "O Globo" newspaper has reported that Roussef has been considering stepping down to allow for fresh elections in October.

We fight, we fight to win

Rousseff has vowed to "fight to the end" and said that if suspended she would hunker down at the presidential residence on half pay for up to six months. She would then attempt to persuade senators that the accounting tricks she is accused of do not amount to an impeachable offense.

However, her Workers' Party - which has dominated and transformed the country since 2003 - is fighting to prevent impeachment from turning into a shift to the right. Rousseff's presidential predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, hopes to run for president again in 2018. Polls show he would be a frontrunner, beating the unpopular Temer.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

Stunning vistas

Relaxing with a spectacular view of Sugar Loaf mountain at the Pousada Favelinha (Little Favela Inn) in Rio de Janeiro's Pereira da Silva. Hostels in a few of the city´s more than 1,000 slums are a cheap housing alternative for the more adventurous among the estimated 500,000 foreign tourists expected to arrive for the Olympics in August.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

Beaches, samba and more

Visitors glimpse popular Ipanema beach through a window at the Alto Vidigal hostel in Vidigal favela. Such hostels give tourists a taste of the rich culture of Rio's urban shantytowns.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

On top of the world

The woman lounging on the terrace of Tiki hostel in Cantagalo favela is engrossed in her book, but clearly there is no lack of incredible views from this hostel perched high above the city. It's an experience that gives tourists a glimpse into the former no-go areas where about one-fifth of Rio's population live.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

'Experience' the neighborood

A worker at Pousada Favelinha poses for a photograph. A few years ago, residents began to discover tourism as a business opportunity, offering not only overnights in hostels but neighborhood tours, too.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

Panoramic view

A glassed-in suite at the Mirante do Arvrao hostel in Vidigal favela, a neighborhood that clings to a steep hill and overlooks Rio's exclusive beaches. Security brings tourism: Police and soldiers seized control from drug gangs in Rio's favelas in the 2008 "pacification" program, and set up a permanent security presence - a policy that has led to widespread complaints of rights violations.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

Affordable and authentic

Favela hostel guests appreciate the affordable rates, but most agree that's not what most attracts them: That would be the dynamic experience and the interesting locals.

Brazil travel on a shoestring: Favela hostels in Rio

'Peace and tranquility'

Solange dos Santos manages the Favelinha hostel. The daily rate for a double bedroom is about $30, compared with $250 at nearby three-star hotels. The favela visitors interact with the residents, she says. "They say, 'Wow, this isn't anything like what we've heard about!' There is peace and tranquility here."